The London market ended lower today as strong US jobs data was outweighed by weak Chinese growth numbers earlier in the week.

The FTSE 100 Index was 49.3 points down at 6911.8 as the market again focused on China's release of a new target for growth on Wednesday of 7% in 2015, down from the 7.5% forecast last year.

Miners took the brunt of the selling with Randgold Resources down 255p to 4581p, Anglo American slipping 28.5p to 1136p and BHP Billiton falling 26.5p to 1550.5p.

The pound was 1% down against the dollar, at 1.51, after official US data demonstrated the recovery of the American economy as it added more than 200,000 jobs in February for the 12th month in a row. Sterling was up against the euro, at 1.38.

This overshadowed yesterday's optimistic view of the eurozone economy from European Central Bank president Mario Draghi. He revised up the central bank's growth forecast to 1.5% for this year from 1%.

Thomas Cook shares have soared after the Chinese owner of Club Med bought a 5% stake in the UK-based tour operator.

Chairman Frank Meysman said the investment by Fosun was "a major milestone" in Thomas Cook's 174-year history as the partnership is expected to give the UK firm access to the fast-growing Chinese tourism market.

Thomas Cook shares were up by nearly a fifth in the FTSE 250 Index - 29.6p to 150.2p - even though the Chinese conglomerate said there were no plans for a takeover or to extend its stake beyond the current plan of 10%.

In London's top flight, oil and gas services firm Weir rose by more than 4% amid speculation that it could be the subject of a break-up bid from a US private equity firm.

The stock, which has hit turbulence in recent months due to the fall in oil prices, was 74p higher at 1813p.

ITV featured on the risers board for a third straight session after its results on Wednesday included a £250 million special dividend for shareholders.

Shares were up by 5.5p at 246.5p and have now improved by more than 10% since the results, when the broadcaster also lifted its dividend by a third and reported a 23% rise in annual profts.

Other big risers in the top flight included Taylor Wimpey after the housebuilder this week reported a strong start to the spring selling season. The company's shares rose 0.3p to 149.3p, but Persimmon fell 16p to 1748p.

The session also saw the stock market return of sofa chain DFS Furniture after an absence of more than a decade.

Doncaster-based DFS began selling shares at 255p, valuing the business at £543 million. It had previously set its indicative price range at between 245p and 310p, which could have seen the firm valued as high as £1 billion. The shares were little changed on their first session of conditional dealings.

The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 Index were Weir Group up 74p at 1813p, ITV up 5.5p at 246.5p, Hargreaves Lansdown up 19p at 1170p and Sports Direct up 10p at 681.5p.

The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 Index were Randgold Resources down 255p at 4581p, Fresnillo down 38p at 698.5p, Intu Properties down 14.2p at 348p and Hammerson down 20.5p at 667.5p.

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